Bag intucking machine



R. N. PIERSON ET AL BAG INTUCKING MACHINE April 26, 1938.

Filed Aug. .9, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet' 1 Mus/woes Roy A Pmeso/v LEONARD 14 SM/TH BY THE/E A ro/9M9:

A ril 26, 1938. R. NQPYIERSON Er'AL I 2,115,176

BAG INTUCK'ING MACHINE MM w.

pril 26, 1 38. I R. N. PERSON. Er AL 2,115 76 BAG INTUCKING MACHINE I Filed Aug. 9, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.3

fiwnvroes For N H5230 LEON/JED W SMITH BY THE/E ATTORNEYS A ril 26,1938} R. N. PIERSON El AL BAG INTUCKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 4

* Mum mes Roy A. P/EEJO/v April 26, 1938. R PIERSQN ET AL 2,115,176

BAG 'INTUCKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 26, 1938. R. N. PjERSON ET AL 2,115,176

BAG INTUCKI'NG MACHINE imlmlemle-al.

8 4 5r 72/0 Tram/m April 26, 1938.

R. N. PIERSYON ET AL BAG iNTUCKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 2i m a !tlillililrllllilllil lllllll. I,

wax/W023 Pow /V. P/zaso/v Lion A20 W SMITH 5y THE/P Arromvzm WM Wm April 26, 1938.

R. N. PIERSON ET L 2,115,176

BAG INTUCKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Fig. 15

//V VE/V T0135 Boy N. PIEESON LEONARD W. SMITH 5) THE/E ATTOFNEKS' April 26, 1938. R. N. PIERSON ET AL 2,115,176

' BAG INTUCKING MACHINE I Filed Aug. 9, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 I Zia/MR0 ll. JM/T/ 77/111? Irma/Mfr:

April 26, 1938.

R. N. PIERSON El" AL 76 BAG INTUCKING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet '11 Filed Aug. 9, 1937 ?atented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y olis, Minn,

assignors to Russell-Miller Company, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of North Dakota Application August 9, 1937, Serial No. 158,080

3'4 Claim.

This invention provides an improved machine which, because of the nature of the work it performs, is herein designated as a bag intucking,

machine.

In United States Patent No. 1,998,287 of date April 16, 1935, issued to Roy N. Pierson (one of the joint inventors of the present application) and to Charles H. Carlson, asjoint' inventors, there is disclosed and claimed a Bag sealing machine", the function of which machine was to fold and seal the tops or flaps of properly loaded sacks. The machine of the prior patent was designed 'to receive the properly filled or loaded sacks from the packer or other source and to carry the same to a point where, by a hand operation, the flanges oi the sacks were intucked" by an attendant and given such form that they could be received by the folding devices of the machine.

The present machine is designed to do the work of intucking; that is, the forming of the flaps of the sacks for proper delivery to the folding mechanism of the machine, thereby performing the work hitherto done by hand and eliminating the requirement of an attendant.

While the machine is particularly designed for use in connection with mechanism such as or similar to that of the prior patent above noted, it is not limited to that particular application, but is capable of general use for performing the function of intucking, wherever such automatic operation is required. As a highly important feature the invention employs a photo-electric cell as the controlling element of automatic mechanism for setting the intuchng mechanism to action, when the sacks are properly positioned for intucking. This invention further involves certain other novel features, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The machine, as well as that of the prior pat-.

cut, is especially adapted for operation on paper sacks that are of the intucking type and which. when filled and sealed, are given what approximates rectangular form. The intucking mechanism will, however, operate-on. sacks that have open flaps of any well spread or open formation. Paper sacks containing flour varying, for example, from five to twenty-five pounds moreor less, are usually made of quite stifi fibrous paper.

The machine also involves improved means for receiving the sacks, for shaking and packing down the flour therein and for delivering the sacks with their open upper ends well spread so that the forming and tucking devices may operate thereon to form the intucking actions.

Hitherto, in actual practice, this intucking of the sacks has not been successfully performed by automatic mechanism, but has, as above indicated, required manual operations, always diflicult to perform at the proper time. The auto- 5 matic mechanism for performing the intucking action of the present machine is timed both in respect to the feed mechanism for delivering the sacks to the intucking mechanism and to the folding and sealing mechanism, which complete 10 the closing of the filled sacks.

A commercial form of the machine is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the improved machine;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; 20

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the same line as Fig. 2, but with the parts in different positions and with some parts removed;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 6-5 of Fig. 2, some parts being 25 shown in full; i

Fig. 5 isa horizontal section taken on the line ii of Fig. 1, some parts being removed;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 8-6 of Fig. Fig. 'l is a transverse section taken on the line 'E-'i of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 8 but illustrating difierent positions of the parts and with many of the parts removed;

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 8, but showing different positions of the parts and illustrating their action on the sack;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view with parts broken away, showing certain parts sectioned on the line il-ii of Fig. 2; 1

Fig. 12 is a perspective showing a sack as it appears when presented to the intucking machine;

Fig. 13 illustrates the action of the intucking mechanism on the sack;

Fig. 14 shows the sack intucked and ready for presentation to the sealing mechanism of the machine;

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating the wiring and electrical devices of the machine;

Fig. 16 is a perspective illustrating a-modified or alterate form of the intake mechanism; a 5

In this commercial and preferred form of the machine the sacks areconveyed from the packer along the vibrating feed mechanism, are carried to and through the intucking' mechanism, and from thence are carried to and through the folding and sealing mechanism or machine. This secured on the table rails I9.

lines in Fig. 7. Under the master feed belt, which is indicated by the numeral I8 is a continuously driven horizontally disposed belt that runs over suitable guide wheels,

not shown, but one located near the receiving end of the vibrating conveyor and the other at the delivery end of the folding and sealing mechanism. I Vibrating feeder This vibrating feeder includes a portion of the master feed belt l8 and comprises a framework made up of laterally spaced horizontal tableforming rails l9 which, as shown, are angle irons tied together by yokes 20 and supported by legs 2|. Lateraliy spaced horizontally beveled skid rails 22 are mounted on the table rails l9 and are spaced so that the upper run of the feed belt l8 runs freely between the same.

That portion of the upper run of the belt l8 in respect to Fig. 1 that is at the right of the gap A runs over a narrow table rail 23 that is rigidly supported on the tie brackets 20. A pair of laterally spaced shaker bars. 24, see particularly Figs. 1, 6, and 7, work one on each side of the table rail 23 and are connected by tie blocks 25 pivotally connected to the upper ends of crank rods 26, which, in'turn, work on eccentric portions of a shaft 21 journaled in brackets 28 hung from the table rails H. To hold the shaker bars 24 in lateral positions their tie blocks'25 are connected to the inner ends of arms 29, the outer ends of 56 which "are pivotally hung from one of the table rails [3, best shown in Fig. 6.

As the loaded sacks are received from the packer they are carried by the belt l8 along the skid rails 22 and between laterally spaced vibratory packer boards 30. These packer boards 30 are hingedly' connected at 3| to the inner ends of plungers 32 that work through bearing brackets 33, rigidly At their outer ends the ,plungers 32 are provided with. nuts 34 between which and the brackets 33 compressed coil springs 35 are applied. The springs 35 tend to separate the vibratory packer boards 30 and to hold the same substantially as indicated by full operation ofthe machinethe packer boards 30 are given short lateral vibratory movements against the sides of the loaded sacks. 'I'hisis accomplished through levers 36 which, as shown, are intermediately pivoted to bearings 31 slidably mounted on the table rails l9. At their upper ends theselevers 36 work against bearings on the outer sides of the boards 30, such bearings being, as shown, afforded by wheels or rotary elements 38 mounted in hearing boxes 39, to which the pivotal connections at the inner ends of the plungers 32 are also conthe screws 43 and.

e various, vibratory parts above noted, to

wit; the packer plates or boards 30 and the shaker rails 24, receive their vibratory motion froman electric motor 41 through various driving connections that will rotor of the 'motor 41 drives a belt 48 that runs over a large pulley 49, secured on a shaft 50 journaled in brackets 5| secured to and depending from one of the table rails l9. This shaft 50 also carries two speed reducing sprockets 52 and 53. A sprocket chain 54 runs over the smaller sprocket 53 and over a relatively large sprocket 55that is secured to a shaft 56 journaled in bearings 51 hung from the brackets 28.

A sprocket chain 58 52 and over a sprocket 53 on the crank shaft 21. The shaft 56 is provided with a small sprocket 60. A sprocket chain 6| runs over the sprocket 60 and over sprockets 62 on the cam surface 42. Under. the action of the vibrating feed mechanism just described the loaded sacks will be carried by the master belt l3 between the packer boards 30, and the sacks will be constantly vibrated vertically by the motion imparted to the shaker rails 24 through the crank rod 26 under action of the crank shaft 21; at the same time,

now be traced. The

runs over the sprocket under the action of cams 4| and through the levers "and spring pressed plungers 32, the sides of the sacks will be constantly tapped by the boards 30. In this way the flour in the sacks will be well packed down into the sacks and the sides of the sacks will be flattened, giving the sacks what somewhat closely approximates rectangular form. I

The vibrating feeder or feed mechanism illustrated in the drawings and above described is not erein claimed ,per se as the same is the sole inventionof Roy N. Pierson, one of the joint inventors in the present application. However,

vibrating feed mechanism combined with the continuously running master feed belt, which receives sacks from the packer and carries the same to broadly claimed.

' Folding and sealing mechanism The folding and sealing mechanism, which may well employed in connection with the present be invention, is fully disclosed and claimed in the prior patentto Pierson and Carlson above identified, and, hence, only the receiving portions thereof are indicated and which parts maybe briefly noted as follows: The spiral cam bars 63 are supported and operated as described in the prior patent. The intucked but unfolded flaps of the sacks are directed to these cam bars by diverging gathering arms 64, also more fully described in the prior patent. The sacks are delivered to the folding mechanism by the master belt l8 and are further conveyed by laterally spaced side belts 65 that are supported on the I or indirectly supported from an upright frame,

framework of the folding machine. Of the parts of the framework of this folding machine it may be noted that table rails 66 are connected to the delivery ends of the table rails I9 and that the latter are extended through the gap A.

In the statements just made it will, of course, be understood that the loaded sacks have been intucked by the intucking mechanism of the present invention before they are delivered between the gathering arms 64. The intucking mechanism, which constitutes the major part of the present invention, is located in the gap A and will now be described.

Intuckina mechanism This intucking mechanism, as already stated, is capable of various modifications and arrangements but, as shown in the commercial machine illustrated, embodies automatic intucking mechanism, the major elements of which are directly indicated as an entirety by the numeral 61 made up of two A-frames rigidly connected at their upper ends by a head block 99, and at their lowerends rigidly connected to the table rails or beams I9 by means of angle rods 19 and horizontal screw rods 1 I. The brackets B9 are rigidly secured to the outstanding flanges of the rails l9; the screw rods 10 afford means for angular adjustments, and the screw rods 11 for lateral adjustment of the entire frame 61 in respect to the table rails or beams i9, see

particularly Figs. 2 and 3. In the several views,

see particularly Figs. 2, 3, 12, 13, and 14 the paper sacks are indicated by the characters 1/, said sacks in Figs. 2 and 3 being indicated only by dotted lines. The upper run of the feed belt I8, after it runs from the shaker devices, passes over a fixed table'plate 12, see particularly Figs. 2, 3, and 4, that extends rearward and preferably past the folding and sealing mechanism. The sacks, as they are moved past the intucking mechanism, are aligned and centered by bevelled centering rails or flanges I3 that are fixed to or in respect to the table board or plate 12.

When the filled sacks are moved between and past the light beam, they are engaged by laterally spaced guide shoes 19 and 15 that are secured to the uprights of the frame 61, by strap-like arms or projections 16 and 11. Secured to one of the front uprights of the frame 61, see particularly Figs. 2 and 5, is a light-bulb housing 18, within which is a light bulb 19. Housing 18 has a light projecting tube that directs light transversely across the path of movement of the sack in a beam, indicated by dotted lines marked a: on Fig. 5. This beam at is delivered into the light receiving nec 8| of a small housing 92 that encloses a photo-electric cell 83. As will presently hereinafter appear, the automatic intucking mechanism will be set in 0 action whenever a sack is in position to cut off or obstruct the light beam 3:.

When the sack is entered between the shoes 14 and 15 it will engage the rear end of a primary sack stop or intercepting device 84, see Fig. 5, that is intermediately pivoted at to a suitable fixed support such as one of the table rails I9, and the curved front end of said stop device will then stand slightly in thepath of movement of the oncoming sack and will stop the same, as shown by full lines in Fig. 5. When the sack has passed the rear end of the stop lever or device 84, the said stop device will be' moved into a releasing position, shown by dotted lines, under the action brackets 69, vertical screw of a light spring 89, shown as anchored to a projection from one of the centering rails 13.

When the sack has reached the position for intucking under the automatic mechanism, it will be positively stopped and held in that position by a secondary stop or intercepting. device in the form of an arm 81, which will then stand, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5. This stop arm 81 is secured to the lower end of a vertical shaft 98 journaled at its upper end in a bracket 89 secured to one of the uprights of the main frame, and at its lower end journaled in a brackat or bearing 90, which, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is rigidly secured to one of the rails II! by a block 9| or the like.

Mounted for vertical movements on the oscilla-,

tory shaft 88 is a cam-acting sleeve 92 that has that is secured to and projects from the cam sleeve 92.' Cylinder 95 is supported in a fixed position by any suitable means such as a connection to one of the rails is.

The motive fluid for operating the-cylinder and piston motor 95-95 is assumed to be and preferably is compressed air. This air will be supplied to and discharged from the cylinder 95 under the action of valve mechanism, such as shown in Fig. 15, wherein the casing of such valve mechanism is indicated by the numeral 98. This casing is connected to the lower 95 through an air pipe 99. supplied to the casing 98 by an air pipe Hi9 that leads from a suitable source of supply and taps a lower admission port Iill of said valve casing.

Valve casing 98 is further provided with a discharge port I92 that opens to the atmosphere. The interior of the casing 95' isarranged to be alternately opened to a supply of air from port lei and for discharge of air through port I02 under the action of a double-ended plunger valve I93 that is arranged to be reciprocated under the action of a magnetic coil or solenoid I94 and co-operating plunger I95, which latter, as shown, is connected to the the particular arrangement illustrated downward movement .of piston 96, when valve casing 98 is open to atmosphere, is hastened and insured by the action of a weight I01 connected by a suspendingrod or cable I08, see particularly Figs. 2 and 15, to the arm of bracket 91, to which, it will be remembered, the rod of piston 96 is directly connected.

In the drawings the numeral I99, see particularly Fig. 2, indicates a pressurereducing valve interposed in the air pipe Illilthat leads to the casing 98, and hence to the cylinder 95. From what has been said it will be understood that when air is introduced into the cylinder 95, piston 96 and cam sleeve 92 will be raised, thereby causing the stop blade or arm 81 to be moved from its retracted position to a position transversely of the line of feed of the bags; and, conversely, when the piston is lowered blade or arm 81 will be automatically swung back to its retracted position end of the cylinder Compressed air is.

valve I93 by a lever I95. In

of the cam sleeve 92.

parallel to the line of feed of the sacks and at one side of the line of feed. As will hereinafter appear, these movements are automatically performed with properly timed actions.

Located in a vertical position at the vertical cam plates II4.

Thecurved outer edges of the cam plates II4 operate on the roller-equipped ends II! of a pair of intucking levers II6 thatare intermediately pivoted at III to cross-head plates III that are slidably mounted for vertical movements in guideways II 9, as shown, formed by channel bars rigidly secured to cross members of the main frame 01. The upper ends of levers II6, as shown, are cross connected by a coil spring I20 that yieldingly holds the rollers II5 against the 'cam edges of the plates I I4.

At their lower ends the levers IIO are provided with inwardly projecting blade- -like' intucking plates or fingers I2I, see particularly Fig. 4.

These plates I2I constitutefthe two outside intucking fingers, and which engage with the extrior of the sack. To hold a neck of the sack properly spread for intucki ng there is provided two pair, that is, four so-called inside spreading fingers. These spreading fingers, as shown, are preferably in the form of blades I22, see particularly Figs. 4, 8, 9, 12, and 13, that are mounted in pairs on the rectangular portions of twoparallel transversely extended rock shafts I23, the round end portions of which are journaled .in bearings I24 secured to the main frame, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. One of the shafts I23 at one end is provided with a projecting arm I25 that is connected by a link I26, see Fig. 2, to the bracket 91 that carries the cam sleeve 92- and is subject to movement of piston 95. The, two

shafts I23 are connected for simultaneous oscillatory movements in reverse directions by a pair of arms I21, see particularly Fig, 11, secured one to each of said rock shafts and at their lapping end having a slot pin coupling indicated at I20.

The inside tucking fingers or blades I22 are, in the structure illustrated, directly secured to the ends of sleeves I29 that areslidable on the angular portions of the shafts I23 and at their outer ends are provided with lugs I30 that normally engage the inner facesof the bearing blocks I24 but are adapted to be turned into en-' gagement with notches I3I formed in said blocks, and at the bottoms of which notches stop screws I32 are shown as applied through said blocks, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Mounted on the inner sleeves I29 are outer sleeves I33, to the inner ends of which are secured clamping plates I34. These opposed clamping plates I34 are eachsecured to the ends of the two sleeves I33 that are on the same side of the bag-feeding. channel, and, hence, the said clamping plates I34 are held in vertical positions capable of sliding movements toward and from each other but are held against oscillatory or other movements in ,their own vertical planes.

Coil springs I35 attached to the clamping plates I34 and to the adjacent blocks I24 tend to keep the clamping plates I34 separated, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In the drawings, coil springs I36 yieldingly connect the fingers or blades I 22 shown in Fig.8, but adapted its hinge joint is provided inder IIO by a pipe IGI.

'to the corresponding outer sleeves I33. As shown, these springs I33 are attached to pins I31 projected from the outer sleeves I33 and to yoke provided with cushioned bearing blocks or sur- These bearing lugs I40, as shown,

faces I. consist of rubber .blocks having outer metallic faces. I

Bag folding leaves I4I, preferably in the form of flat metal plates, arehingedly' connected to' the lower edges of the-clamping plates I34 at' I42. Hinge'springs I43 tend to hold the leaves I nearly in the planes of the'plates I34, or as tions shown in Fig. 10, One of the leaves I at with a projecting or best shown in Figs.

bag creasing flange I44, as

at that side toward 2, 8, and 10, which is located which the neck of the sack will be folded for sealing if it has been intucked and creased, ready for such folding action.

Extended transversely of the main frame about midway up is a pair of parallel shaftsl45, the ends. of which are shown as securedon blocks I 46 secured to transverse braces 61a of the main frame. Mounted on each of these shafts I44 is a sleeve-like hub I", each of which has an up-- wardly projecting arm I40 and spaced arms ,I49, see particularly Figs. 2 and 4. The upwardly extended arms I48 are connected to be turned to D0si-.

two depending to the verticallyfmovable head II2 by links I50,

which, as shown, are of the longitudinally ad- Justable type. The connected elements I48 and I50, see particularly Figs. 2 and 3, constitute toggle-actingconnections between the head H2 and the arms I 49. It, should now'be noted that arms I49 are "connected by links I5I to bosses I52 on the cross heads or sliding plates IIB, see Fig. 4, but also note Fig. 8.'

The free ends of the clamping arms I49 are engageable with the studs or projecting lugs I39 on the sliding but I33 and for such engagement are provided 'or formed with projecting finger portions I53, with notches I54 and with bearing surfaces I55, see particularly Figs. 8 and 10, which latter engage the metal faces of the cushioning blocks I40 of the clamping plates I34 with a. peculiar action that will be noted in the description of the Operation.

Timed valve mechanism is provided for controlling the admission and exhaust of air from the master cylinder H0 and, hence, the reciprocating movement of the piston III. This valve mechanism shown comprises two valve structures, which, in the drawings, are applied to and supported from a bracket-forming bar I50 secured to the upper portion of the framework 61, see particularly Figs. 2 and 3 and the diagrammatic view Fig. 15. The casing I5'I of the uppercontrolling valve receives air under pressure through an air pipe I50, thatleads from the main air supply pipe I00 to the intake port I59. The casdischarge port 1 non-rotary outer sleeves to be alternately opened and closed by a doubleended: plunger valve I" that is adapted to bereciprocated under the action of an electro-magnetic coil or solenoid I12 and co-operating plunger I13, which latter operates-on said valve through a pivoted lever I14. In Fig. 2 the numeral I15 indicates a pressure reducing valve interposed in the pipe I61.

For controlling the currentto the electro-ma net I63 of the upper controlling valve mechanism there is provided a switch, preferably of the mercury bulb type, indicated by the numeral I16; and for controlling the current to the electromagnet of the lower controlling valve mechanism there is provided a switch, also preferably of the mercury bulb type, indicated by the numeral Ill, see particularly Figs. 2, 3, and 15. As shown, these mercury switches are pivoted to brackets I18 and I19 applied to the main frame E1, and said bulbs are shown as provided with projections in the form of angular fingers lid and tilt, respectively. The lower bulb i'l'l is under spring tension to assume a circuit breaking position, while the upper bulb Ilt is under spring tension to move into circuit closing position.

These mercury switches are arranged to be automatically actuated with properly timed actions by connections which, as shown, include a vertically movable rod lei, the lower end of which is movable with the bracket Q1, which, it finwill be remembered, is moved with the cam-acting sleeve 92 under the action of the piston 96 of the lower.motor or: reciprocating cylinder and piston device. The switch actuating rod Itl is provided with taps W2 and I83 that act, respectively, on the fingers or projections lid and I663 of the bulbs I'lli and ill.

As shown by the diagrammatic view Fig. 15, the current to be supplied to the various electrically actuated parts of the apparatus is supplied from main lead or supply wires I8 3. The bulb 19, which afiords the light source of the automatic control is. connected across the main leads Hit and branch circuit 835, in which is a manually operated switch IE5.

known construction and operation, is connected by a circuit 830. to a'switch-actin'g solenoid 8 3a that acts upon the armature-equipped contact 850. to close an A. C. circuit 85a that includes the 3 solenoid or magnet 890. When magnet i9Il is energized, it raises and holds in a circuit breaking position the armature-acting contact its, which latter, when lowered, closes the circuit through wires I81 and 588. One of said leads, to wit: as shown in the lead I88, is a manually operated switch I9I. A wire I92 tapped off from the lead I81 is connected to one terminal of the switch actuating magnet or solenoid Itifi, and from the other terminal of said magnet It l a wire I93 is extended to one of the electrodes of the mercury switch I16. From the other electrode of saidv switch I16 a wire I95 is extended to one terminal of the switch actuating magnet E53; and from the other terminal of said magnet E63 a wire 75 I95 is extended to and taps the lead I 81.

The photo-electric cell 83, which is of a well- One electrode of the mercury switch I11 is connected to the lead I88 by a wire I96; from the other electrode of said switch I11 a wire I91 is extended to one terminal of the switch-actuating magnet I12; and the other terminal of said magnet I12 is connected to the lead I81 by a wire I98.

Interposed in the lead wire I 88 is a switch- -actuating magnet or solenoid I99 that operates a plunger 200, that carries a switch contact 20I. Contact 20I co-operates with spaced upper and lower pairs of contacts 202 and 203. The numeral 204 indicates a co-operating switch actuating magnet or solenoid that operates on a plunger 205 that carries a switch contact 206,

that is engageable with spaced switch contacts 201. One of the contacts 201 is connected. to the wire I93 by a wire 208; the other contact. 201 is directly wired to the left hand contacts 203; and the other contact 203 is connected to the lead I88 by a wire 210. One of the switch contacts 202 is connected to the lead I81 by a wire 2II,'and the other contact 202 is connected to one terminal of switch-actuating magnet 2% by a, wire 2I2. The other terminal of magnet 2% is connected to lead IN by a wire m.

Operation Before summarizing theoperation of the complete machine, it is thought best to first describe the function and operation of certain of the groups of mechanism involved in the machine.

The normal or idle position of the various parts of the machine are best shown in Figs. 2, 4, 8, and 9. The manner in which the bags will be conveyed to the intucking mechanism by the feed blade Ill and acted upon by the co-operating shaking devices has already been clearly stated.

The intuclring devices are operated by the cylinder and piston motor lIB-III. Normally,

the presser plates I35 will be. separated, the inside fingers IZZ will be moved to their most closely adjacent position, and the outside intucking fingers or blades 52! will be retracted. ,At such time also the inside tucking fingers I2 2 will be rotatively raised to position shown in Fig. 4 and the presser arms m9 will be spread or separated, as best shown in'Fig. 8.

When by the introduction of compressed air into the upperend of cylinder lit piston III will be forced downward and the following operations will follow therefrom, to wit: The head H2, cross-head bar H3, and cam plates Iii will be directly forced downward by the downward movement of said piston III. Downward move ment of said head I I2 acting through the toggleacting connections Mil-I will, for the early part of the downward movement of the piston, cause the sliding plates H8, together with levers H6, to move downward at about the same rate of speed as the bar H3 and cam plates IIQ. However, during the latter part of the downward movement of the piston III, and at a time after the tucking fingers or blades I2! have been low-,

movement of piston III, the fingers or projections I53 of clamping arms I49 will engage the stud-like projections I39 of the outer sleeves I33 which carry the clampingplates I34 and will force the said clamping plates to closed positions on the flaps of the sack substantially as shown in Fig. 10, by reference to which it will be noted that at such time the rounded surfaces of the levers I49 press against the cushioning lugs I40 of the said plates. Under-such closing movements of the plates I34, the leaves I will engage the top of the sack, as shown in Fig. 10,

thereby pressing the sack into substantially the form shown in Fig. 14, at the time when the outside intucking fingers I2I are pressed inward so as to bulge in the sides of the sack.

Here it should be again noted'that the clamping plates I34 and inside tucking fingers I22 are under tension to separate and assume their normal positions, under the action of the springs I and I36. Under upward movement of the piston III, the levers I49 will be spread or separated and under that action the projecting ends I53 released to the action of springs I35 and I36,

lugsv I30 will strike the inner faces of said bearings'and be held in the relatively closely spaced position shown in Fig. 12, and hence, readily insertable into the-open mouth of the sack. Of course, the retracting movements of the levers I I6 with fingers I2I andthe arms I49 will take place under return or upward movements of the piston III. The valves and other mechanism for controlling the upward and downward movements of the piston III will be described later on.

Normally, and as already stated, the inside fingers I22 will be not only spaced, as shown in Fig. 13, but will be pivotally raised, as best shown in Fig. 4.

Under upward movement of the piston 96 of cylinder 95, two important operations take place, to wit: In the first place, as the sack passes through and'beyond the light. beam, light is focused on photo-electric tube restoring relays to starting position. As. time limit relay is now closed the-circuit is closed through 209 and 201, allowing current to pass to coil I04 opening air valve allowing air to pass into cylinder 95.

This starts the mechanism of the machine into action. The cam 93 of sleeve 92, acting on pin 94 of shaft 88, under upward movement of said sleeve, turns the stop blade 61 into the path of movement of the sack and stops the sac]: that is to be intucked.

In the second place, the upward movement imparted to bracket 91 that carries sleeve 92,

operating through link I26, see particularly Fig. 2, and through arm I25, see particularly Fig. 11, rotates the shaft I23 and the two sleeves I29, thereby turning the inside tucking'flngers or blades I22 from positions shown in Fig. 4 into downturned positions shown in Fig. 12, and immediately following this latter noted action brings the legs I30 into registration with the notches I3I, permitting springs I35 and I36 to spread said fingers I22 within the open mouth of the sack, as shown ,in Fig. 13. Here it be stated that approximately simultaneously with this latter noted spreading action of theilngers I22 the outside intucking ringers or blades I 2I are pressed inward under the action previously described so as to intuck the front and rear sides of thesack; and immediately following this action that the clampingplates I34 are pressed together, as shown in Fig. 10, by an operation, also just above described. 10

Under downward movement of piston 93, the operations performed by the upward movement of the said piston 96 will be reversed. Attention is here again called to. the fact that when one of.

the sacks u is stopped in the position for intuck-- 15 ing, asjust stated, the upper run of the feed belt I3 will simply slip under the sack and the movement of said feed belt will not be intercepted.

At this point is should also be noted that when a sack is stopped by thelblade 61, as above 30 stated, it engages the inner arm of stop lever 34 pressing the same against spring." and throwing the rear end of said stop lever into a positio'n shown by full lines in Fig.- 5, thereby holding back the next following sack whilethe prop- 2s erly located sack is being intuck'ed. when there is no sack in position for-intucking, spring "36 will hold stop lever 34 in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5 so that a sack will freely pass the rear end thereof and into engagement 30 with the front end thereof, thereby always permitting a sack to be delivered by the ieed belt' to the proper position for intucking which, as stated, is in position to cut oil thelight beam 1,;

The upward and downward movements of the is piston III of cylinder III is controlled by valve mechanisms located within the valve casings Ill and I66, see particularly Figs. 2, 3, and 15. "In the position of the valve devices shown in Fig. 15,

the valve III is raised so that the compressed 40 air will flow into the casing I 63 and from thence through pipe "0 into the lower end of cylinder H0; and at that time the air from the upper end of cylinder IIO finds an escape through pipe I6I into casing I51 and from thence out through a exhaust port I60. This causes the piston to be raised,-as shown in Fig. 2. Under the conditions just stated, it must, for the time being, be assumed that magnet I12 is then energized and that magnet is: at that time is deenergized; and so that when magnet I63 is energized and magnet I I12 deenergized, the action above stated will be reversed, that is, air will be admitted into the upper end of cylinder H0 and air will be exhausted from the lower end of said cylinder, 55

thereby causing piston. III to be lowered.

Under the conditions illustrated in Fig. 15,

valve I03 in casing 93 is lowered so that air from the cylinder 95 will escape through pipe 99 into casing 96 and out through exhaust port .0

or passage I 02, at a time when the supply of compressed air to the lower end of said cylinder is cut oil by the lower end of said valve I63. This condition is efl'ected'when magnet I64 is deener'gized. When magnet I94 is energized,

valve I03 will be raised, therebyclosing exhaust port I02 and opening a supply of air frompipe I00 into the interior of casing" and from thence through pipev 99 into the lower end of cylinder 95, 70

thereby causing piston 95 and parts carried thereby to be raised performing the functions above described, and another important function which will now be described and which is performed by vertical movements of rod III and the tappets 75 I82 and I83, which tappets operate, respectively on the mercury switches I16 and I11.

The diagram view Fig. 15 illustrates the normal condition of the intucking mechanism. It may, however, be assumed that the switches I86 and I9I are both closed so that the beam will be projected from.the light source 19; and that alternating current is being supplied to the photo-electric cell 83. The current supplied to the light source 19 and to the various electromagnets should be D. 0., although the supply to the light source 19 might also be an A. C. current. Also, it may be assumed that the feed belt I8 is being constantly driven. As already stated, the tucking mechanism is automatically started into action whenever the light beam 1: is cut oil from the photo-electric cell.

When the beam 0: is active on the photo-electric cell magnet 84a will be energized closing the switch 8511.. Closing of switch 85a causes magnet I90 to be energized therebyopening switch I89 which causes magnet I99 to be deenergized closing switch 20I-203, but as there is no current through magnet 204, switch 205 will remain open. At this time .the circuit through mercury switch I16 is open but the circuit through switch I11 is closed which causes magnet I12 to be energized, thereby holding valve I1I in the raised position already described, but leaving magnet I88 deenergized so that switch I82 will be in its lowered position'to cut off the supply of airfrom pipe I58 to the interior of valve casing I51. When these, conditions prevail, the various parts of the intucking mechanism will be held in their normal positions, best indicated in Figs. 2, 4, 8, and 9.

When the light beam :1: is cut off by a sack on its way to position for intucking, the photoelectric cell 83 will not generate current so that the magnet coil or solenoid 88a will be deenergized permitting switch armature 88a. to

drop, thereby causing magnet I90 to be deenergized. -,When magnet 108 is deenergized, its armature contact I88 will close the circuit between leads I81 and I88 thereby energizing magnet I99 lifting armature contact MI and closing the circuit at 202, thereby energizing magnet 200 and causing the same to lift armature contact 205 and close Here it is important to note that the magnet 208 is a time-delayed relay magnet which, when energized, WilLremain energized for a certain period of time, say approximately two seconds, and which time will be sumcient for the complete operation of the intucking mechanism.

Immediately when the sack 1 passes beyond the beam :15 photo-electric cell will again be en-.

ergized by the beam and will restore the switch 85a to the closed position causing magnet I80 to be energized and opening switch I88. This allows the switch armature I02 to immediately drop back into engagement with its relatively fixed contacts and breaking the circuit through ma net 204 which magnet, however, as above stated, remains energized for the stated sufiicient time to hold switch 205 closed. During this short interval while switch armature 20I is dropped and switch armature 205 is held upward by the magnet 204, the circuit through magnet I04 is energized causing valve I03 to be raised and which valve movement admits air into the lower end of cylinder 95 and opens the upper end of said cylinder to exhaust. When this action takes place, piston 96, with the parts carried thereby, will be instantly raised and lifting the rod III the circuit between lead 201.

with the tappets I82 and I83. It is during this short interval of time that the sack moves out of the beam .1: to the dotted line position of Fig. that the stop arm 81 is moved into the dotted line position of said view, to stop the sack in intucking position, in a manner already more fully described.

The upward movement of rod I8I causes tappet I83 to permit mercury switch I11 to move into a circuit opening position and tappet I82 engages arm I19 and rocks the mercury switch I88 into circuit closing position. Movement of switch I81 into circuit breaking position causes magnet I 12 to be deenergized permitting valve "I to drop; and rocking of' mercury switch I18 into circuit closing position causes magnet I88 to be deenergized thereby causing'valve I82 to be raised. As already more fully described, when this valve movement takes place, piston III of cylinder IIO will be quickly lowered thereby opcrating the bag intucking fingers or blades in a manner already fully described.

Assuming now that the intucking operation has been completed, the magnet 204 will lose its energy, thereby permitting armature contact 205 to drop causing the parts to re-assume the positions indicated in the diagram view Fig. 15, at which time piston 98 will be forced back to its lowered position and piston III will be raised or moved back to its normal raised position.

From the foregoing it is evident that the intucking or sack closing actions take place during a very short interval of time, to wit: during the time the sack passes out of thebeam a: and before the sack, under continuous movement of the feed belt, is carried too far forward to be stopped in the proper intucking position by upward movement of the piston 98 which, as one of its functions, swings the stop blade or arm 81 into sack stopping position. In fact, all of the intucking movements and return movements of the mechanism take place very quickly so that there is only a very slight holding of the sacks against travelling movement with the feed blade, and hence, only a slight delay in the movement of the sacks to the folding and sealing mechanism to which the sacks are delivered by the feed belt as soon as the sacks are released for movement with the feed belt. There is no starting and stopping of the feed belt other than that required to start the machine into action and to stop the operation thereof.

- The various magnetically operated switches perform independent and important functions. The current generated in the photo-electric cell 83 by the light beam. at is, of course, very slight,

'and hence, the switch of magnet 840. which is normally closed and serves as a primary tripping switch, is used only to supply current to the magnet I 90 of the normally open secondary tripping switch of magnet I90 and which latter switch controls the circuit from leads'I81 and I88 that are arranged to carry stronger current such, for example, as 110 volt current. i

The switches of magnets I99 and 204 are arranged'in an important co-operative relation but each performs a diiferent function. The switch of magnet I99 is a quick action two-way switch and controls two circuits, one of which includes the magnet 204 and the other of which includes the switch elements of the said magnet. The

said switch magnet 204 is quick acting when energlzed but is of very well-known character which retains its magnetism for a period of time such as stated so that the closing of said delayed switch is quick but the opening is slow. For reasons above stated, the switch of magnet 84a may be designated as a normally closed primary tripping switch; the switch of magnet I90 as a normally open secondary tripping switch; the switch of magnet I99 as a quick action two-way switch; and the switch of magnet 204 as a time-delayed release one-way switch.

The structure illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 in many respects is identical with that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 15, inclusive, and hence, parts that are identical with the earlier described structure are here indicated by the same characters. In this modified or improved structure illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17, the head applied to the lower .dicated by the character H2 blocks or members H4,

HI, in lieu ofhead H2, is inand this head, by links 208-, are directly connected to the slides H8 so that the said slides and head H2 are given simultaneous and like vertical movements. Also, in this structure of Figs. 16 and 17, the levers H6 that carry the intucking blades l2! and are pivoted at H1 to lugs on the slides H8, are provided at their upper ends with rollers H5" in lieu of the heretofore noted rollers I I5 and these'rollers H5 work in cam channels formed in cam which latter are rigidly secured to the sides of the frames 61. I

The operation of this modified structure in its general effect and in most particulars is like that previously described, but in this modified or improved arrangement the the levers I I6 vertically, are directly moved from the head H2 and the levers H6 are given their properly timed movements in both directions and end of piston rod the movements in both directions are positive and no spring action is relied upon as in the earlier chine, which performs all described construction.

From the foregoing it is evident that while the drawings illustrate a commercially operative maof the functions above stated, in what seems to be a completelysatisfactory manner, nevertheless, the various devices and combinations of devices and arrangement of parts are capable of various modifications all within the scope of the invention herein disclosed and desired to be broadly claimed.

What we claim is:

1. In a machine of the kind described, bag intucking mechanism, means for feeding the bags thereto, means for projecting a light beam across the path of movement of the bags, a photo-electric cell subject to said light beam, a circuit including saidphoto-electric cell and a primary electro-magnetic switch that is closed when the light; beam is active on said cell, a

ing a secondary tripping switch and the contacts of said primary tripping switch, and which secondary switch remains open-when the light beam is active on said cell, a circuit including the magnet of'a quick-acting electro-magnetic two-way switch and the contacts of said secondary tripping switch, a circuit including the magnet of a slow-release electro-magnetic switch and two of the contacts of said quick-acting two-way switch, a circuit including contacts of said slow release switch and the other two contacts of said twoway switch. and means under the control of said circuits for actuating said intucking mechanism.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which said intucking mechanism --includes inside and outside tucking devices, a cylinder and piston motor'with connections for operating said inside tucking devices, a cylinder and piston motor for slides H8, which carry circuit includmined position,

lotion.

electro-magnets in the circuit connection to said.

switches arranged to operate the valves of said motors with property timed actions, the said circuit connections further including controlling switches for the valve actuating magnets, and means to be actuated by movements of the piston of the motor which operates the inside tucking devices.

4. In a machine of the kind described, bag intucking mechanism, -means for feeding the bags thereto, means for projecting a light beam across the path of movement of the bags, a photo-electric cell subject to said light beam, a circuit including said photo-electric cell and a primary electro-magnetic switch that is closed-when the light beam is active on said cell, a circuit including a secondary tripping switch and the contacts of said primary tripping switch, and which secondary switch remains open when the light beam is active on said cell, a circuit including the magnet of a quick-acting electro-magnetic twoway switch and the contacts of said. secondary tripping switch, a circuit including the magnet of a slow-release electro-magnetic switch and two of the contacts of said quick-acting two-way switch, a circuit including contacts of said slow release switch and the other two contacts of said two-way switch, said intucking mechanism including inside and outside tucking fingers, a valve-equipped cylinder and piston motor with connections for operating said inside-tucking devices, electro-magnetic valve actuators for the valve mechanisms of said two motors, and circuit connections to said electro-magnetic valve actuators having circuit connections to and con- -trolled by the actions of said electro-magnetic switches. l

5. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with bag feeding ing mechanism comprising a supporting frame overlying the feed belt, outside intucking devices moved and mounted on said frame, a cylinder mounted on said frame and means, of intuck- I having connections for operating said outside,

intucking devices, inside tucking devices moved and mounted on said frame, a cylinder and piston motor associated with said frame and having connections for operating said inside tucking devices, valve mechanisms directly controlling the actions of said two cylinder and piston motors, and automatic mechanisms to tucking devices actuate said outside and inside when the sacks reach predeterin' respect to the intucking position- 6. The structure defined in combination with a sack stopping device arranged to be thrown into the path of the moving sacks when the intucking mechanisms are thrown into 7. In a machine for intucking the open ends of loaded sacks, a conveyor for the sacks, a frame overlying said conveyor, an upper cylinder vanmeans for operating said valve fingers, and means chored-to the upper portion of said frame and having a depending piston, an upright lower cylinder anchored in respect to said frame and having an upwardly projecting piston, a transverse rock shaft, inside tucking devices mounted to slide on but to rotate with said rock shaft, laterally movable clamping plates slidable on but not rotatable with said rock'shaft, outside intucking fingers, levers carryingthe latter and mounted for pivotal and vertical sliding movements on said frame, the piston of said upper cylinder having connections for imparting the vertical and the pivotal movements to said levers, said connections also including clamping levers that are operative on said clamping plates to force the same against the flaps of the sack, and automatic means for controlling the actions of said cylinder piston motors when the sacks are moved to predetermined positions.

8. The structure defined in claim 7 in further combination with valve mechanisms for controlling the supply of motive fluid to said twomotors, electro-magnetio valve actuators for said valve mechanisms including controlling circuits with switches therein, electro-magnetic tripping means for said circuits actuated by movements of the sacks to predetermined positions.

9. In a machine for intucking the open ends of loaded sacks, a conveyor for the sacks, a frame overlying said conveyor, an upright rock shaft supported by said frame at one side of the conveyor and provided with an extended normally retracted stop blade, a non-rotary sleeve mounted for sliding movements on said upright rock shaft and having a cam action thereon, a transverse rock shaft, sleeves rotatable with but slidable on said transverse rock shaft and provided with inside tucking fingers, a cylinder which is fixed and the piston of which is connected to said,

cam-acting sleeve and is connected to said transverse rock shaft for oscillating the same, slides vertically movable on said frame, intucking levers pivoted to said slides and provided attheir lower ends with outside intuoking fingers, an upper cylinder and piston motor, the cylinder of which is fixed to the upper portion of said frame and provided with a depending piston with connections for imparting vertical and pivotal movements to said intucking levers, said connections also including clamping arms operative when said latter noted piston is depressed to impart approaching movements to said inside intucking for throwing said intucking devices into properly timed actions.

10. The structure defined in claim '1 in which said clamping plates are provided at their lower edges with hinged sections adapted to engage the tops of the sack in the intucking action.

11. The structure defined in claim 7 in which said clamping plates and inside tucking fingers are under yielding strain to separate.

12. The structure defined in claim '7 in which said clamping plates and inside tucking fingers are under yielding strain to separate, and said inside tucking fingers are provided with stop devices that normally limit their separating movements but are engageable with clearance recesses in relatively fixed'parts, to permit initial separation when turned to operating positions.

loaded sacks, a conveyor for the sacks, a frame overlying-said conveyor, an upper cylinder and,

piston motor applied to the upper portion of said frame, a lower cylinder and piston motor anchored in respect to the lower portion of said frame, a pair of transverse rock shafts connected for simultaneous oscillation, inside tucking devices mounted to slide on but rock shafts, laterally movable clamping plates slidable on but not rotatable with said rock shafts, intucking levers mounted to slide and oscillate on said frame, and provided at their lower ends with blade-like intuclring fingers, connections from the piston of said .lower motor for oscillatlng said rock shafts to turn the inside tucking fingers to operative positions, and connections from the piston of said upper motor for imparting pivotal and sliding movements to said outside intucking arms and for forcing said clamping plates into close association.

14. The structure defined in claim said clamping plates and inside clamping fingers are subject to springs tending to force the same outward.

15. The structure defined in claim 13. in which said clamping plates and inside clamping fingers are subject to springs tending to force the same.

13 in which to rotate with said outward. said inside tucking fingers having stop I device's which normally limit the separating movement thereof but permit further separation when turned to operative positions.

16. The structure defined in claim 13 in which the connections for pressing the clamping plates into clamping positions include clamping arms movable into and out ofengagement with the said clamping plates.

17; The structuredefiried in claim 13 in which said inside clamping fingers are provided with sleeves directly slidable on said transverse rock shafts and said clamping plates are provided with sleeves that slide upon the pairs of sleeves that carry said inside clamping fingers.

18. The structure defined in claim 13 in which said inside clamping fingers are provided with sleeves directly slidable on said transverse rock shafts and said clamping plates are provided with sleeves that slide upon the pairs 'of sleeves that carry said inside clamping fingers, said inner sleeves havinglugs and bearings for said transverse rock shafts having notches. with which the stop lugs on the outer ends of said inner sleeves engage when the clamping fingers are rotated to operative positions.

19. The structure defined in claim 9 in which the moving elements of said intucking device are actuated by fluid pressure. motors having valves controlled byelectro-magnetic actuating devices.

20. The structure defined in claim 13 in fur ther combination with a sack stopping device arranged tobe thrown into stoppingposition when the sack isin position for intucking.

21'. The structure defined in claim 13 in further combination with a sack stopping device arranged to be automatically thrown into a sack stopping position when the sack reaches the position for intucking.

22. The structure defined in claim 13 in further combination with a sack stopping device ar ranged to be thrown into stopping position when the sack is in position for intucking, and a sack stopping device arranged to be thrown into sack stopping position to hold the sack in position for intucking while the first noted stop device, by the 13. In a machine for intucking the open ends of a able on said frame, a pair of spaced slides vertically movable on said head, insidetucking ele- 

